We´re clearly ahead of our schedule this year and that´s the reason why we release our yearly preview for the summer sandals already right now in February, because we already know what´s coming for you.
We´re only working so far for about a month after the long Christmas break and New years but have been able to get a lot done in those few weeks. We checked our complete inventory, started our first Chala sale which is still in full effect, the protoyping (voycontigo.de) is almost finished, our biggest Chala upgrade is almost done, all our Chala models received new product photos, we got new production machines for sewing and the whole production process, the renovation and extension of our manufactory has been completed, the store extension (especially the Chala section + 20sqm) in our store in Berlin is being built and will be terminated on the 20 th of February. 20sqm completely packed with our new Chala models are waiting for you. After that project is terminated we´re going to continue with the distribution of our mobile stores as we´re in the last phase of negotiation with many potential partners.
What can you expect in the year of 2020? As all the previous years before we set ourselves high goals and hope that we can finish most of our planned projects. The first project we could finally finish this year after 2 years of designing and engineering is our new Piñatex Premium 1.0. It is a huge development, a complete new model, shoemaker handcraft meets the first natural and vegan sandal made from pineapple fibres. We had to get a new machine in our manufactory exclusively for the production of the refined footstraps. Once you had the privilege to feel high quality you won´t want to go back.
We´re happy to finally be able to offer this great sandal to you, even though we had to adjust our prices for our models a little bit. But this wasn´t the only change we made, 2 of our flagship models benefit from this improvement as well. Our new EVO 5.0 XRD with a new and more robust button which is being produced exclusively for us and many details that have been improved, too and our RUN 3.0 XRD which also received the new button which is being fitted into the sole.
The Evo Kid´s is another model which has been improved, the most important improvement being the reinforcement of the cotton footstraps, which will be further improved by a specially manufactured button in a smaller size only for our Chala Kids models. But the most important update happened in our gluing room in our manufactury. Not only do we have a new and highly efficient drying oven, but also a new vacuum press with digital speed control which will support us from now on to achieve a much higher quality and durability with our Chala models.
But the most important update happened in our gluing room in our manufactury. Not only do we have a new and highly efficient drying oven, but also a new vacuum press with digital speed control which will support us from now on to achieve a much higher quality and durability with our Chala models. Now we´re able to glue the soles together under controlled conditions and constant atmospheric pressure with our waterbased glue.
This not only shortens the drying time substantially, it also ensures to preserve the optimal flexibility of our soles which is much more sustainable in the long run as the gluing properties are definitely increased which in turn reduces any kind of production errors and increases the lifespan and durability of your Chala sandals.
Wrapping it all up we can say that we were able to finish many of our projects from those past years, but some of them are still on our To-Do list and will be started as soon as possible. As you can probably imagine by reading these words, I am very much excited myself as building a brand is something very strenuous most times, but at the same time it creates something very special in the end and makes the whole process much more enjoyable.
But enough of the talking for now, here is an overview of our achievements:
What do we want do or change?
* There´s going to be more Chala models for children as we´re going to broaden our Classic Chala line (Classic Thick, Run 2.0 XRD Kid´s, Pinatex Kid´s, and much more…)
* Huge model upgrade for many of our current Chala models like a new footstrap construction for our Pinatex Premium (which we have already achieved)
* A new Slip-in/Slip-off model of our Chalas will appear in 2 versions, but we still have to work on the fitting and other minor details
* We´re working fulltime on our new Alpini model. It will definitely appear, we just don´t know yet when exactly as we´re facing some minor hurdles but will keep you up to date on that matter.
* Our own resolable shoe model project is making progress as well. First we´re looking at a smaller stock size as we´re also facing some hurdles facing production and so on
* We´re working intensively on producing our own soles made 100% from natural rubber and are aiming to provide them for at least 2 shoe models in the barefoot shoe industry
As you can see there is less on our agenda as the years before because we already finished some projects. Some major projects are still on the list and we´re looking forward towards a successful season together with all of you.
Kind regards from Freiburg
